Builders Merchants Journal – BMJ Publishing to Builders Merchants and the UK merchanting industry for more than 95 years
Builders and plumbers merchant group Travis Perkins saw sales rise 8.6% in the third quarter, with trade markets stronger than the consumer division, a statement released today has revealed.
Total sales for the quarter in general merchanting were 13.9% up and 10.7% ahead on a like-for-like basis. Specialist merchanting rose 9.7% and plumbing and heating 6.3%, with the consumer division 1.6% ahead.
In terms of the year-to-date, general merchanting is 7.4% ahead, specialist merchanting 9.7%, plumbing and heating 1.2% and the consumer division just 0.4%.
The group’s statement says that, while the general and specialist merchanting divisions both recorded encouraging total and like-for-like sales growth, and the plumbing and heating division performed well, neither Wickes nor Tile Giant were able to capitalise on the warmer summer weather given their limited range in outdoor categories.
Geoff Cooper, Chief Executive, said: “Whilst still early in the recovery of our markets, the stronger trading conditions experienced by our merchanting businesses in particular is a reassuring indicator of improved sentiment in construction.
“The recovery in activity, signalled by us in early 2013, looks set to continue into 2014 as owners’ and occupiers’ construction and maintenance activity increases from the very low levels encountered over the last five years. The Group is well positioned, as the leading supplier of building materials in the UK, to take advantage of this recovery.”
